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In Acts 23 verse 33, Paul is handed over to Governor Felix in Caesarea, having been safely escorted from Jerusalem to the comparative security on the Mediterranean coast.

After fifteen years or so of faithful loyal obedient exciting ministry, Paul is now a permanent prisoner. You might think - what a shame - how disappointing - this man is being so limited. But our God can use, and does use these imprisoning situations - these times and seasons when we are physically limited and restricted in some way.

Jesus never looks for what man might regard as "success".…  ( Click for more )

We are studying Acts 23, slowly, taking our time, and we are reading of a whole series of troubles coming upon Paul the servant of Jesus Christ. All he set out to do was report to the Church in Jerusalem as to how God had used him during these past five years of travelling, preaching, teaching and ministering.

Then, he made that visit to the Temple, sparking off a furious uproar. He was rescued, but managed to give his very personal testimony to Jesus before he was finally imprisoned. He was about to be tortured - then he was put on trial before the Sanhedrin - where he…  ( Click for more )

Acts 23:23. What an upheaval in the middle of the night - to rouse 470 soldiers so quickly - and the horses - all to keep safe a servant of the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ. God is going to protect this man, Paul, because he had work to do elsewhere - this time in Rome.

The servant of the Lord Jesus Christ is a very important person. He is regarded by the Father and by the Holy Spirit as someone very precious. For that man or woman the blood of Jesus Christ has been shed.

Paul had been under considerable pressure. He was in a highly vulnerable situation,…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 23:12 - While the risen living Lord Jesus Christ is ministering to His chosen servant, Paul, in that Jerusalem cell, something sinister was going on elsewhere. Forty men were planning a conspiracy to kill Paul. Forty men vowed that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. This is becoming even more serious.

We have to be very careful as to the vows we might ever make or take. See how easily evil can enter the hearts of men - even religious men - and even when the risen Jesus is not all that far away - and note how serious evil men can be…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 23, Paul is on trial for his belief in the resurrection from the dead. This is what is at stake. This is what has been causing trouble everywhere he preached and taught, and as he speaks the Jerusalem Courtroom is divided. Paul brings to the surface the underlying divisions. Some Pharisees arose and flew their flag - "We find nothing wrong with this man." - and the dispute within the Sanhedrin deepened. Paul was on the verge of being torn to pieces, as the violence increased. The Roman Commander issued orders for Paul to be rescued once again - for his own safety.…  ( Click for more )

We are in Acts 23 - the scene is Paul - the man of God - the apostle - the servant and slave of the Risen and Living Lord Jesus Christ - on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ. Paul had only been in the city for around 10 days - when he is falsely accused of polluting, contaminating and desecrating the Temple. There is a rumpus and a near riot. He is hustled away by the Roman soldiers for his own safety.

They were going to beat him, flog him, torture him, but when he informs them that he is a Roman citizen, this illegal activity ceases.

The Roman Commanding Officer…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 23, Paul is on trial in Jerusalem and as he looked around that courtroom he saw two groups - we could regard them as two denominations - and he sided with one of them. There were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees were the conservatives who believed in the Resurrection - they believed in angels - they believed in the spirit of God. The Sadducees were the liberals - who did not believe in miracles - who did not believe in the supernatural - and they said there was no resurrection and no Holy Spirit.

Paul said, "I am a Pharisee - and my father…  ( Click for more )

Acts 23 and verse 1. Paul is on trial as a consequence of his ministry in Jerusalem and he looked straight at these 70 lawyers and said, "My brothers". He is so generous in his use of words. "I have fulfilled my duty to God - my conscience is clear - in the sight of God I am innocent and blameless." Ananias, the High Priest, commands those other so-called religious men to slap his face." What disgraceful behaviour.

Spiritual warfare is real. Many people just do not realise how real spiritual warfare is until warfare erupts and breaks out, and…  ( Click for more )

In our recent studies in Acts 22 this matter of being 'born again' arises, as Paul gives his testimony. It is crucially and vitally important. Jesus Christ said that a man must be 'born again' and as we see in the book of Acts that involves, Repenting, Believing in Jesus Christ, Being Baptised in water, and receiving the Holy Spirit. This is how we come into the Church of Jesus Christ. I know of no other way - do you?

Let us not give people only part of the Gospel, because that will only have them struggling for years, in areas of their lives where there is no…  ( Click for more )

We have reached that point at the end of Acts Chapter 22, where Paul has been arrested for his own safety - in Jerusalem - adjacent to The Temple. Because of his intense and zealous desire to speak about Jesus Christ to those who have been falsely accusing him, he gives his testimony as to how he personally met the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.

He shares these highly intimate spiritual details with those men accusing him. It is a very Jewish account, but as soon as he mentions Gentiles, he lost his audience. The Roman soldiers have to bustle him into the barracks…  ( Click for more )

When Paul gave his powerful testimony to Jesus Christ in Acts 22 the reaction was quite astonishing and a little surprising. Those who heard him were hurt and what had hurt them was the truth of God.

This glorious testimony is so personal - so Jesus centered - so real - so Jewish.

It points to Jesus - showing what the risen living Jesus can do - and did do in this man's life. Paul indicated how Jesus Christ can change and transform one of the most violent religious rebels around, but it does not necessarily mean that everyone will want what you share, and that…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 22 when Paul takes time to relate his testimony, as to what happened when he first met the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ. He remembers how Ananias ministered to him and befriended him and did what had to be done to ensure that he was fully and adequately born again. Then Ananias drops out of the picture. Ananias was so willing to be used by Jesus when Jesus explained the exact situation as Saul of Tarsus is being called and chosen, and Ananias plays a highly significant role.

What a calling. If it had been left to human choice Paul would never have been…  ( Click for more )

Having reached Acts Chapter 21 and verse 40, we have been reading and studying that section where Paul is rescued from that wild mob in the Temple in Jerusalem, and he is so concerned for them, that he asks to speak to these religious critics and persecutors. He gives his testimony - so clearly - so specifically. Paul is clear about what happened to him. He has clear convictions.

It is interesting to link this with Isaiah's testimony in Isaiah Chapter 6. He too has clear convictions! Have you? Both speak about it being all so very personal, giving a firsthand…  ( Click for more )

When reading Acts 22:14, it was as if God would not let me move on any further! How very strange! Yes, this type of things does happen. I turned to the Old Testament and read from Isaiah Chapter 6. Here we have another man's testimony - the testimony of Isaiah.

One era had come to an end. Uzziah had been a good king, but something went terribly wrong. He suddenly developed leprosy, and died a leper, and Isaiah reminds us of earth's unstable throne.

All he did was try to become a priest, and he became a leper. Never try to move out of your sphere…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 22:7, Paul speaks about that specific day when he met Jesus Christ, and the very time of day. There was this great light. I fell to the ground, and as I lay on the ground I heard a voice - such detail - and clear convictions. This was no dream.

Verse 10 gives us that vital question, which can continue to trouble people!

Jesus speaks to him directly, and he follows Christ's instructions from the very beginning. Then Ananias came to him - sent by Jesus - to deal with other areas of his life, which had to be dealt with right away.

Verse 14. Ananias…  ( Click for more )

We are studying Acts Chapter 22, where the apostle Paul gives his testimony, and I deliberately use the word 'study' because it is so vitally important that we study the Scriptures - not just read them - but 'study'. There are times when we will read them, but there should be times when we 'study' them.

It always amazes me when scholars become so excited on finding an ancient document.

We have The Word of God - the Word of our Creator God, our gracious merciful loving Saviour - and these documents in the Bible should be read and studied…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 22, where Paul gives his testimony before a howling mob, God is using this situation to teach us to use each opportunity with which we are presented. These opportunities may not always be in a pulpit, or quiet Bible Study setting, or a pleasant conversation in someone's home!

God had been saying something to this previously zealous and deeply religious man, and sometimes it is hard even for God to get through to religious people. But some 25 years later, Paul never forgot that day. He had done a lot during these past 25 years, but he never forgot that day…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 21 Paul is almost mugged by a religious gang. Roman soldiers rescue him for his own safety, because God still has vital work for him to do. But Paul's desire and longing is to speak to these people and when given permission he addresses them and shares his very real testimony. He says to these religious bigots, "I too am a Jew. I am one of you. I had the finest theological training available, at that time, sitting in the class of Professor Gamaliel. I am as zealous as you are. I was as dedicated to God as you are."

You can be religious and dedicated to…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 21:35, Luke describes a wild scenario. Here we see mob violence as serious as we read about today. The crowd follow the soldiers, who arrested Paul for his own safety, shouting - "Away with him!" This is how a faithful servant of the living God can be treated at times, even while in the place of prayer.

There are many similarities to the arrest of Jesus, Who said, "Follow Me", but we very seldom consider this aspect as even one of the possibilities.

Once Paul gets his breath back, he asks the Commanding Officer - "Can I have a word with you?" The officer…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 21 verse 27, we read of trouble in the Temple. Following 5 or 6 years travelling all over the Middle East, and having been forewarned of trouble in Jerusalem, Paul like Jesus Christ His Saviour had set his face determinedly to go to Jerusalem. Within 10 days or so of his arriving in the city, a riot breaks out in the Temple.

Paul is falsely accused of bringing Greeks - non-Jews - Gentiles - into the Temple. There had been rumours going around that Paul has been preaching and teaching to turn away from Moses - not to have their children circumcised - and not…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 21, there are so many vital lessons for the Church of Jesus Christ. The situation in Jerusalem is now critical as Paul seeks to allay the accusations surrounding his preaching and teaching. These Jews who oppose him are so prejudiced. The riot, which arises suddenly, becomes very serious. They people got hold of Paul and dragged him out of the Temple. He had been falsely accused of polluting the House of God, but who was really polluting the House of God? It is an essential question which needs to be asked - occasionally. Who is really causing the trouble? …  ( Click for more )

In Acts 21 we have been studying this very difficult situation from verse 20 onwards, where Paul was being falsely accused regarding what he was teaching. That remains something which we continue to face and carry today. There will always be those who will try to put words in your mouth. That is why we must be careful as to what we say and how we conduct our lives.

If you do what is right in the sight of God, that does not mean you can avoid trouble. If you do what people ask you to do, even in a situation like this, there can still be gossip, anger, rage, uproar, riot.…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 21:20, when these Jerusalem elders learned how Paul had been so blessed and used, they praised God. His testimony rang true. It was so very real.

They worshipped God and gave Him all the glory. They saw the Hand of God upon his ministry, but then, they reveal something that is on their heart. They are apprehensive. Why?

Verse 20. "We have a problem here in Jerusalem. You see brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. Now, some of these Jewish disciples of Jesus Christ have been led to believe…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 21:17, Paul and Luke and a few others arrive in Jerusalem - "and the brothers received us warmly". The next day Paul meets with the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. It is around the year 60 AD. Again we see the pattern of one city, one church, one group of elders. One leadership - there was still such wonderful unity in the Church of Jesus Christ, despite the various serious attacks.

Paul goes on to describe in detail what God has been doing among the Gentiles through his ministry. It is right and good to tell the leadership of the local…  ( Click for more )